LINDEN — The chief of New Jersey’s largest law enforcement agency helped arrest a commercial truck thief Wednesday night, apprehending the man in a Linden graveyard where he and two accomplices were hiding, authorities said.

Col. Rick Fuentes, superintendent of the State Police, was covered in mud when he walked out of Rosedale Cemetery with the suspect in custody, Mayor Richard Gerbounka said today.

Trooper Christopher Kay, a State Police spokesman, confirmed Fuentes’ involvement. Fuentes, however, was not willing to discuss the incident.

"He’d rather the credit go to the troopers that are out there every day and doing that job under often difficult circumstances," Kay said.

Linden police say the 2006 Freightliner was stolen from the A C Fleet Trucking Co. around 10 p.m. Wednesday. An employee saw the truck, followed the thieves and called police. When State Police reached the tractor and tried to stop it, the thieves fled, leading officers on a pursuit, authorities said.

Meanwhile, Fuentes, who was driving on the New Jersey Turnpike and heard his troopers communicating on the radio, responded to provide assistance, Kay said.

Fuentes joined troopers and Linden police in their search. The colonel located the suspected driver,Hector Dipre, 22, and helped arrest him, Kay said.

Dipre and alleged accomplices Bryan Estevez, 22, and Osman O. Najera, 30, were charged with theft, resisting arrest, and criminal mischief. Dipre was also charged with eluding. All three are from Union City.